Lagos: The Kogi Government says the Food for Lagos partnership between it and Lagos state would further enrich its farmers. The state also reiterated commitment to transforming its agricultural sector and improving livelihood of farmers through the partnership, aimed at creating a robust food supply chain between Kogi and Lagos state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this is contained in a statement on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, who highlighted the strategic steps already taken to actualise the economic potential of the initiative. Fanwo said that Gov. Ahmed Ododo has begun implementing concrete measures to boost food production, improve infrastructure, and attract high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector, less than two weeks after signing the agreement.
Fanwo emphasized that the governor’s efforts are targeted at ensuring Kogi farmers will earn more from their agricultural produce. He revealed that the state Ministry of Agriculture had already mapped out key areas with comparative advantages for specific crops, ensuring that each region contributed meaningfully to the value chain. Kogi is already a leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and West Africa, and the administration is striving to dominate other areas of food production.
The commissioner lauded Gov. Ododo as a visionary leader who has placed agriculture at the core of his development agenda. Ododo’s campaign promises and inaugural speech stressed the need for Kogi to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, which he is now fulfilling.
Fanwo also highlighted major government-backed programmes such as RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is facilitating the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve market access. The ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes) initiative is channeling investments into rural farming communities.
He noted that agriculture in Kogi is receiving unprecedented attention, with youth and women actively participating in the agricultural revival across the state. The state’s success in combating rural insecurity has increased farming activity and boosted confidence among local farmers.
Fanwo described the Food for Lagos Project as a game-changer, enhancing food supply in Nigeria’s largest city and fostering wealth creation and economic empowerment in Kogi. With sustained implementation, this partnership is expected to enrich Kogi farmers and strengthen the state’s economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Lagos state government on July 23, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the governors of Niger, Taraba, Kogi, and Ogun. The MOU was part of the N500 billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ initiative, aimed at strengthening food supply chains and addressing rising food costs. The agreement formalised an inter-state collaboration on agricultural production, logistics, and market access to ensure consistent food availability in Lagos state.
